SnackTime Stroller Toy Bars

CPSC Recall #96-169 — July 18, 1996

Recall Summary

Recall Number96-169
Recall DateJuly 18, 1996
Remedy TypeReplace
Units AffectedAbout 99,000

Where It Was Sold

Various retail stores and discount centers sold the stroller toy bars nationwide from July 1995 to June 1996 for about $13 to $15.

Product

SnackTime Stroller Toy Bars

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - CPSC, Kids II of Alpharetta, Ga., is voluntarily recalling about 99,000 SnackTime Stroller Toy Bars, model number 669. A rattle attached to the bar can break open, releasing small beads. Children could inhale the beads into their lungs, causing serious injury. Kids II and CPSC are aware of one incident in which a child swallowed a piece of the toy, but was not injured. Kids II reported the hazard to CPSC. The toy, which fits over the front bar of a stroller, measures approximately 14 inches long and three inches wide. The bar is decorated with four plastic figures: a flower, a caterpillar, a bear, and a frog. Caregivers can place food and bottles in two of the four figures on the bar: a green and pink cup holder that resembles a flower, and a green frog's head that opens into a removable, spill-resistant bowl. Two other figures on the bar function as games for children: a purple and pink caterpillar with large plastic rings attached by white strings, which functions as a stacking teether; and a yellow bear holding a rattle and jingle balloons. The bear also plays music when consumers press a heart-shaped button on the bear's stomach. The stroller toy bar was packaged in a cardboard box with a see-through window labeled in part, "SnackTime Stroller Toy Bar, Model Number 669 ... Combines Snacktime and Playtime for babies on the go! ... Easily attaches to stroller crossbars ... KIDS II ... For Ages Up To 3 Years ... " Various retail stores and discount centers sold the stroller toy bars nationwide from July 1995 to June 1996 for about $13 to $15. SnackTime Stroller Toy Bars available at stores after August 1, 1996, with model number 683 and containing a date code, are not subject to this recall. Consumers should stop using the toy bar immediately and return it to Kids II at 1015 Windward Ridge Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30202. Kids II will send consumers a replacement stroller toy bar. For more information, consumers should call Kids II at (770) 751-0442.

Hazard

A rattle attached to the bar can break open, releasing small beads. Children could inhale the beads into their lungs, causing serious injury.

Incidents & Injuries

Kids II and CPSC are aware of one incident in which a child swallowed a piece of the toy, but was not injured. Kids II reported the hazard to CPSC.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using the toy bar immediately and return it to Kids II at 1015 Windward Ridge Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30202. Kids II will send consumers a replacement stroller toy bar.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Replace at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly — either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Replace) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product — whether recalled or not — you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney — parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.